Top 10 most dangerous cities in Alabama

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Steeped in history and Southern tradition, this state offers a variety of cultural and natural attractions. Known for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, it is home to significant landmarks such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. The diverse landscape ranges from the white sandy beaches of the Gulf Shores to the lush forests of the Appalachian foothills. Cities like Huntsville, with its U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Mobile, known for its vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations, reflect the unique character of the state. However, amid its historical significance and natural beauty, certain areas face challenges in terms of safety. The most dangerous cities in Alabama are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where residents and visitors should remain vigilant. Despite these issues, Alabama's blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and Southern hospitality continues to attract those who appreciate its deep history and dynamic communities.

Within Alabama, the issue of safety remains a concern for both residents and visitors. Urban areas, in particular, tend to have higher crime rates compared to rural regions. The state’s efforts to address these concerns include community policing initiatives and various social programs aimed at reducing violence. Nevertheless, awareness and caution are advised, especially in the most dangerous cities in Alabama. These areas, while challenged by higher crime rates, also present opportunities for improvement and revitalization, showcasing the resilience and potential for positive change within the community.

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Bessemer Population: 27,005 1,744 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.78 chance of being a victim: 1 in 57 Total Crimes / 100k: 8,867

Bessemer, AL holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Alabama with 1,744 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,477), robbery (162), rape (61) and homicide (44) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 384% higher than the Alabama average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Atmore Population: 9,556 1,362 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.73 chance of being a victim: 1 in 73 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,955

The second most dangerous city is Atmore. With a population of 9,556 and a violent crime rate that is 279% higher than the Alabama average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Atmore are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,362 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 73 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Birmingham Population: 216,515 1,247 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.42 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,278

Home to 216,515 residents, Birmingham, AL ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Alabama. Unfortunately for residents of Birmingham, crime is widespread, with more than 1,247 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 3.42 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 246% higher than the Alabama violent crime rate.

Alexander City Population: 14,850 1,024 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.81 chance of being a victim: 1 in 98 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,612

With a violent crime rate that is 185% higher than the Alabama average, it's not hard to see why Alexander City made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (77), assault (871), rape (49) and homicide (28). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Alexander City more vulnerable to high crime.

Demopolis Population: 6,979 965 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.64 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,683

The ongoing battle with crime in Demopolis, AL, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 965 and a 1 in 104 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Demopolis has a violent crime rate that is 168% higher than the Alabama average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Demopolis.

Dothan Population: 70,979 913 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.50 chance of being a victim: 1 in 110 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,678

Dothan, AL comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 913 per 100,000 people, which is 154% higher than the Alabama average. Dothan has a population of 70,979, which translates to 2.50 crimes per day and 1 in 110 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Dothan which are much safer than others.

Anniston Population: 22,178 846 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.32 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,211

A 1 in 118 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.32 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Anniston makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 846 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 135% higher than the Alabama average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (665), robbery (86), rape (76) and homicide (19).

Tuskegee Population: 8,678 827 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.27 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,645

Tuskegee, AL is another one of the most dangerous cities in Alabama and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 8,678 and a violent crime rate of 827 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 653 counts of assault, 105 counts of robbery, 23 counts of rape and 47 counts of homicide. All told, the Tuskegee violent crime rate is 130% higher than the Alabama average.

Lanett Population: 6,388 792 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.17 chance of being a victim: 1 in 126 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,871

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Lanett, AL comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Alabama with a violent crime rate of 792 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.17 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 126 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Phenix City Population: 37,524 778 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.13 chance of being a victim: 1 in 129 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,248

Rounding out our list at #10 is Phenix City, AL. With a population of 37,524 and a violent crime rate of 778 per 100,000 people (116% higher than the Alabama average), some parts of Phenix City are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 650 counts of assault, 70 counts of robbery, 50 counts of rape and 8 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 129 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Alabama

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Bessemer	27,005	1,744	8,867
2	Atmore	9,556	1,362	4,955
3	Birmingham	216,515	1,247	5,278
4	Alexander City	14,850	1,024	4,612
5	Demopolis	6,979	965	3,683
6	Dothan	70,979	913	3,678
7	Anniston	22,178	846	5,211
8	Tuskegee	8,678	827	2,645
9	Lanett	6,388	792	3,871
10	Phenix City	37,524	778	4,248
11	Roanoke	6,123	776	4,657
12	Childersburg	5,056	761	3,369
13	Mobile	197,324	752	2,426
14	Eufaula	12,279	723	3,297
15	Semmes	5,938	721	5,864
16	Andalusia	9,041	668	4,334
17	Prichard	22,203	632	2,774
18	Florence	41,756	629	2,646
19	Enterprise	28,827	624	3,003
20	Selma	18,220	620	3,092
21	Jacksonville	13,194	608	2,268
22	Decatur	55,434	607	2,916
23	Montgomery	204,291	595	2,830
24	Gadsden	36,146	582	3,159
25	Greenville	7,724	578	4,420
26	Sylacauga	12,588	562	4,038
27	Opelika	31,335	560	3,185
28	Tuscaloosa	103,568	553	3,285
29	Brewton	5,314	545	4,573
30	Talladega	16,019	541	3,982
31	Sheffield	9,116	517	2,414
32	Hueytown	15,979	512	3,091
33	Troy	19,684	486	3,996
34	Huntsville	207,126	483	2,871
35	Ozark	14,780	439	3,449
36	Chickasaw	5,954	434	2,586
37	Bay Minette	9,545	414	2,046
38	Jasper	13,990	395	4,751
39	Lincoln	7,002	388	2,667
40	Valley	9,429	381	4,218
41	Midfield	5,127	368	983
42	Orange Beach	6,366	357	2,202
43	Attalla	6,085	344	3,957
44	Clanton	8,896	314	3,622
45	Guntersville	8,759	305	2,777
46	Leeds	12,862	297	2,909
47	Pell City	14,541	295	2,498
48	Fultondale	9,570	294	3,011
49	Gulf Shores	12,877	287	2,079
50	Arab	8,679	257	3,806

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Alabama is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Alabama cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.